Efficient co-solution of time step size and independent state in simulations of fluid-driven fracture propagation with embedded meshes
Academic Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
AbstractWe present an efficient timecontinuation scheme for fluiddriven fracture propagation problems in the extended finite element method framework. The approach applies a monolithic solution strategy to a fully coupled and implicit approximation of hydromechanical systems in conjunction with simultaneous linear elastic propagation of multiple fractures. At the end of each time step, the process ensures that the weakest fracture tip is in an equilibrium propagation regime. Furthermore, the solution process provides an initialization procedure for the newly created fracture spaces and an a priori estimate of the stress intensity factor growth rate, improving simulation robustness, and efficiency. The solution process is validated using the KristianovichGeertsmade Klerk analytical solution under the toughness and viscositydominated regimes. It is also extended to and demonstrated on problems with multiple fractures undergoing simultaneous propagation with stress shadow interactions. Numerical examples demonstrate that the solution process can reduce the required computational cost by one order of magnitude compared to other existing methods.
